The Clinical Significance of Specialized Intestinal Metaplasia in the Diagnosis of Barrett's Esophagus: Nationwide Prospective Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The meaning of specialized intestinal metaplasia (SIM) in the diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus (BE) is not clear. This study was designed to determine the clinical significance of SIM in the diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biopsies were taken from 601 subjects with endoscopically suspected columnar-lined esophagus. Under light microscopy with Alcian-blue stain, SIM was identified. Demographic characteristics, gastroesophageal (GE) reflux symptoms and endoscopic findings were compared between the SIM-present group and the SIM-absent group. RESULTS: Among 601 subjects, 184 (30.6%) were confirmed by pathology to have SIM. Age over 40 years (P<0.001) and a medication history of proton pump inhibitor or H2 blocker were found more frequently in the SIM-present group (P=0.01) than in the SIM-absent group. Any of 7 GE reflux symptoms (heartburn, acid regurgitation, chest pain, hoarseness, globus sensation, cough and epigastric soreness) were more frequent in the SIM-present group than SIM-absent group (P<0.001). Specifically, heartburn, chest pain and cough were significantly more common in the SIM-present group. There was no clinically significant difference associated with endoscopic findings or other clinical characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: When subjects with endoscopically suspected BE are analyzed based on the presence or absence of SIM, the SIM-present group was significantly associated with GE reflux symptoms suggestive of frequent GE reflux. However, the presence of SIM did not correlate with endoscopic findings.

The Distribution of Endoscopic Gastritis in 25,536 Heath Check-up Subjects in Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic gastritis is a common finding during endoscopy and it is very important to describe it correctly. This study was designed to evaluate the distribution of endoscopic gastritis and the differences according to age, sex or area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A clinical analysis was conducted on 25,536 subjects who had undergone an upper endoscopy for routine health check-up. Endoscopic gastritis was classified into four types, superficial gastritis, erosive gastritis, atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia. The distribution of the four types of gastritis was evaluated according to sex, age and area. RESULTS: 51.6% of the patients had experienced at least one of the symptoms (epigastric pain or discomfort, soarness, dyspepsia, abdominal pain) on at least a few occasions during the previous year. The incidence of normal gastric finding was 3,593 (14.1%). 21,943 (85.9%) subjects have at least more than one of endoscopic gastritis. The number of cases with superficial gastritis was 7,983 (31.3%), erosive gastritis 6,054 (23.7%), atrophic gastritis 6,918 (27.1%), and intestinal metaplasia 1,181 (7.1%). Erosive gastritis, atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia were more frequent in men than women (P or =60 years) than younger age group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of endoscopic gastritis was very common, 85.9%. In addition, erosive gastritis, atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia were more frequent in men and in the older age group, which is similar to gastric cancer or peptic ulcer. Cautious regular endoscopic follow-up might be necessary regardless of gastrointestinal symptoms in Korea.

The Distribution of Endoscopic Gastritis in 25,536 Heath Check-up Subjects in Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic gastritis is a common finding during endoscopy and it is very important to describe it correctly. This study was designed to evaluate the distribution of endoscopic gastritis and the differences according to age, sex or area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A clinical analysis was conducted on 25,536 subjects who had undergone an upper endoscopy for routine health check-up. Endoscopic gastritis was classified into four types, superficial gastritis, erosive gastritis, atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia. The distribution of the four types of gastritis was evaluated according to sex, age and area. RESULTS: 51.6% of the patients had experienced at least one of the symptoms (epigastric pain or discomfort, soarness, dyspepsia, abdominal pain) on at least a few occasions during the previous year. The incidence of normal gastric finding was 3,593 (14.1%). 21,943 (85.9%) subjects have at least more than one of endoscopic gastritis. The number of cases with superficial gastritis was 7,983 (31.3%), erosive gastritis 6,054 (23.7%), atrophic gastritis 6,918 (27.1%), and intestinal metaplasia 1,181 (7.1%). Erosive gastritis, atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia were more frequent in men than women (P or =60 years) than younger age group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of endoscopic gastritis was very common, 85.9%. In addition, erosive gastritis, atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia were more frequent in men and in the older age group, which is similar to gastric cancer or peptic ulcer. Cautious regular endoscopic follow-up might be necessary regardless of gastrointestinal symptoms in Korea.

A Case of Left Atrial Myxoma Presenting with Myocardial Infarction

Coronary artery embolization is an extremely rare and potentially lethal complication of atrial myxomas. We observed of a case of left atrial myxoma associated with acute anteroseptal and inferior myocardial infarction. A transthoracic echocardiographic study revealed the presence of an echogenic, mobile mass, compatible with myxoma in the left atrium. Coronary angiography disclosed abrupt occlusions of the distal left anterior descending artery and the right coronary artery. The tumor was successfully removed surgically after medical treatment and the patient was doing well post operatively at 6-month follow-up.

A Case of Sarcomatoid Combined Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma / 대한소화기학회지

Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (HCC-CC) with sarcomatoid features is an extremely rare primary liver cancer, of which only four cases have been reported. We report a case of sarcomatoid combined HCC-CC in a 60-year-old woman who complained of right upper quadrant pain and presented with a 7 cm mass in the S4 region of the liver in abdominal CT. Ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy diagnosed it as HCC, and left lobectomy of the liver followed. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of two portions: HCC portion showing trabecular pattern, which had partially sarcomatous area with spindle-shaped tumor cells, and CC portion with glandular pattern. Immunohistochemically, HCC portion reacted positively with alpha-fetoprotein while CC portion demonstrated positive reactivity with carcinoembryonic antigen and mucicarmine. Sarcomatoid cells reacted positively for cytokeratin. She died of tumor recurrence and hepatic failure 12 months after the operation. Combined HCC-CC has poor prognosis, and sarcomatoid HCC has high metastatic potential and poor prognosis compared with ordinary HCC.

Usefulness of Endoscopic Mucosal Resection for Curative Treatment of Early Gastric Cancer / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has been widely accepted as a curative treatment of early gastric cancer (EGC). The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness and limitations of EMR for treatment of EGC by analyzing our own experience. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 51 EGC lesions (45 mucosal and 6 submucosal cancers) from 49 patients who had undergone EMR between Oct. 1997 and Aug. 2002 at Inha Universtiy Hospital. RESULTS: Among 45 lesions of mucosal cancer, enbloc resection was performed in 13 lesions and piecemeal resection in 32 lesions. Complete resection rates of enbloc and piecemeal resection were 84.6% and 43.8%, respectively (p=0.012). Complete resection rate of the lesions smaller than 1 cm in size was 71.4%, 1 to 2 cm in size 52%, and greazter than 2 cm in size 37.5%. Complete resection rates of well, moderately, and poorly differentiated EGC were 59.4%, 71.4%, and 16.7%, respectively (p=0.048). Thirty-three patients underwent a follow-up endoscopy at I month after EMR and two were found to have residual cancers. One patient who had a piecemeal EMR showed cerical and abdominal lymph node metastasis 10 months after EMR. CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients with EGC, EMR can be a curative treatment modality. However, complete resection rate is low in large sized and poorly differentiated EGCs and when piecemeal resection is performed.

A Case of Breast Cancer Recurrence Presenting as Dermatomyositis / 대한류마티스학회지

Dermatomyositis (DM) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammatory muscular and cutaneous disease. DM may present before, during, or after the appearance of malignancies. There have been two reported cases of DM associated with breast cancer in Korea. But there is no reported case of DM associated primary cancer recurrence. We describe the first case of DM associated with breast cancer recurrence in Korea.A 50-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of proximal muscle weakness and multiple skin rashes. She had undergone a mastectomy, adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy for left breast cancer 25 months ago and thereafter no physical or radiology evidence of recurrent breast cancer appeared clinically. She was finally diagnosed as having recurrent breast cancer with DM. This case emphasizes the importance of evaluation for recurrence of previous malignancy with newly developed DM patient.

Rhabdomyolysis Associated with Hyponatremia / 대한내분비학회지

Hyponatremia is a frequent condition of body fluid and electrolyte imbalance encountered in clinical practice. However, rhabdomyolysis has rarely been reported in association with hyponatremia. We experienced a 56-year-old woman who had developed symptomatic hyponatremia after prolonged nausea and subsequent rhabdomyolysis. Hyponatremia was probably mediated by hypersecretion of antidiuretic hormones.The woman had developed severe hypotonic hyponatremia with an alternation in mental status after suffering from severe nausea and vomiting for x months/years. She recovered with intensive supportive therapy, including hypertonic saline administration. One day after hospitalization, she complained of thigh pains; furthermore her serum creatine phosphokinase level had increased. She was treated with alkaline diuresis. Renal failure or compartment syndrome did not complicate the clinical course. The patient was discharged and returned to her normal daily activities. The possibility of rhabdomyolysis should be considered in patients with acute hyponatremia who have developed muscle pain.